US companies team-up on air quality

The new vehicles, which are already in operation, are the first of 230 to be delivered by early 2009 and will replace aging diesel trucks currently in use by independent owner-operators moving containers of JCPenney merchandise through the ports.

Powered by Cummins ISX clean-diesel engines capable of operating on ultra-low-sulphur diesel fuel or B20 biodiesel, each truck will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 78% and particulate matter emissions by 90% compared with a typical truck it replaces.

Marie Lacertosa, senior vice president and director of logistics for JCPenney said, “This fleet conversion demonstrates that the private sector is capable of implementing sustainable, long-term solutions to port environmental issues that also preserve jobs and maintain the efficient flow of goods.”